Hey, don’t laugh. He’s still got a cannon from the point on the power play, and Souray had a nice bounce-back season with Dallas.

Canadiens fans remember him as a pylon in his own zone, but Souray was plus-11 for the Stars. That would have put him second, behind Josh Gorges’ plus-14, on the Canadiens.

Souray would provide veteran leadership and would not be expensive on a two- or three-year deal, covering the gap until Jarred Tinordi, Nathan Beaulieu and Morgan Ellis are ready for The Show.

The bottom line: Bergevin does not have to hit a home run on July 1.

All but the most delusional fans realize the Canadiens are a work in progress. Bergevin has assembled a top-notch off-ice team – including Rick Dudley, who will provide invaluable input on the strengths and weaknesses of available UFAs. The Canadiens, by all accounts, had a great draft in Pittsburgh.

There is talent in the pipeline. Good times are coming.

But the Canadiens are unlikely to contend for the Cup in 2013. So Bergevin and his staff will be in the market for quality, affordable players that improve, rather than transform, the Canadiens.